Moving wing decoy apparatus and methods

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention include moving bird decoy apparatus and related methods that address a bird decoy whose wings may be moved to simulate wing stretching motions exhibited by birds such as geese and ducks. An automated wing motion element together with a power source may be capable of moving decoy wings to simulate wing stretching motions.

1 . A bird decoy wing movement method, comprising the steps of: 
 establishing in a desired position a bird decoy having a bird decoy body, head and wings;    non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from start positions to first wing sweep forward-most positions;    non-manually moving said wings from said first wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to second wing sweep rearward-most positions that are different from said start positions and said first wing sweep forward-most positions;    non-manually moving said wings from said second wing sweep rearward-most positions in a forward direction to third wing sweep forward-most positions;    non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions that are different from said start positions and said third wing sweep forward-most positions; and    eventually non-manually moving said wings to final positions.    
   
   
       2 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of eventually non-manually moving said wings to said final positions comprises the step of eventually non-manually returning said wings to said start positions.  
   
   
       3 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from start positions to first wing sweep forward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from start positions to positions that are mirror image symmetric.  
   
   
       4 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said first wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to second wing sweep rearward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said first wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to positions that are mirror image symmetric.  
   
   
       5 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said second wing sweep rearward-most positions in a forward direction to third wing sweep forward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said second wing sweep rearward-most positions in a forward direction to positions that are mirror image symmetric.  
   
   
       6 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to positions that are mirror image symmetric.  
   
   
       7 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said second wing sweep rearward-most positions in a forward direction to third wing sweep forward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said second wing sweep rearward-most positions in a forward direction to positions that are the same as said first wing sweep forward-most positions.  
   
   
       8 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to positions that are the same as said second wing sweep rearward-most positions.  
   
   
       9 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein each of said steps of non-manually moving said wings comprises the steps of non-manually moving said wings about substantially vertical axes.  
   
   
       10 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said first wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to second wing sweep rearward-most positions that are different from said start positions and said first wing sweep forward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said first wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to second wing sweep rearward-most positions that are between said start positions and said first wing sweep forward-most positions  
   
   
       11 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions that are different from said start positions and said third wing sweep forward-most positions comprises the step of non-manually moving said wings from said third wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions that are between said start positions and said third wing sweep forward-most positions.  
   
   
       12 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said step of non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from start positions to first wing sweep forward-most positions comprises the steps of non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from parked positions where said wings are each more proximate a decoy body outer surface established by said decoy body than at any other time during wing motion.  
   
   
       13 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of rocking said bird decoy in a back and forth motion.  
   
   
       14 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 13  wherein said step of rocking said bird decoy in a back and forth motion is performed as a result of said steps of moving said wings.  
   
   
       15 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein every forward-most position is the same.  
   
   
       16 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein all rearward-most positions other than said start positions and other than said final positions are the same.  
   
   
       17 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said start positions are further rear than each of said second wing sweep rearward most positions and said fourth wing sweep rearward most positions.  
   
   
       18 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of non-manually moving said wings from said fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions in a forward direction to fifth wing sweep forward-most positions.  
   
   
       19 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 18  further comprising the steps of: non-manually moving said wings from said fifth wing sweep forward-most positions in a rearward direction to sixth wing sweep rearward most positions that are between said start positions and said fifth wing sweep forward-most positions, and non-manually moving said wings from said sixth wing sweep rearward-most positions to seventh wing sweep forward-most positions.  
   
   
       20 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said steps of non-manually moving wings comprises the steps of electrically moving wings.  
   
   
       21 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  wherein said steps of non-manually moving wings comprises the steps of pneumatically moving wings  
   
   
       22 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of wireless remote control activating said step of non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from start positions to first wing sweep forward-most positions to initiate bird wing motion.  
   
   
       23 . A bird decoy wing movement method as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of wired remote control activating said step of non-manually moving said wings of said bird decoy in a forward direction from start positions to first wing sweep forward-most positions to initiate bird wing motion.  
   
   
       24 . A moving bird decoy apparatus, comprising: 
 a bird decoy body defining a cavity and to which are attached two wings and a decoy head; and    an automated wing motion element established at least partially within said cavity and capable of moving two wings of said bird decoy from rear parked positions forward to first wing sweep forward-most positions and then rearward to second wing sweep rearward most positions that are between said first wing sweep forward most positions and said rear parked positions, and then forward to third wing sweep forward-most positions, and eventually back to said rear parked positions,    wherein said rear parked positions of each of said wings are opposite one another, said forward most positions of each of said wings are opposite one another, and said intermediate positions of each of said wings are opposite one another, and    wherein said moving bird decoy apparatus further comprises a power source that powers said automated wing motion element.    
   
   
       25 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element is also capable of moving said two wings rearward from said third wing sweep forward-most positions to fourth wing sweep rearward-most positions that are between said rear parked positions and said third wing sweep forward-most positions, and then to fifth wing sweep forward most positions before eventually returning said wings back to said rear parked positions.  
   
   
       26 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 25  wherein said second wing sweep rearward most positions are the same as said fourth wing sweep rearward most positions.  
   
   
       27 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said first wing sweep forward-most positions are the same as said second wing sweep forward most positions and said third wing sweep forward-most positions.  
   
   
       28 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element is capable of moving said bird decoy body in a back and forth motion.  
   
   
       29 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 28  wherein said back and forth motion is accomplished by said wing motion.  
   
   
       30 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said bird decoy body is a water fowl decoy body.  
   
   
       31 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 30  wherein said water fowl decoy body is a goose decoy body.  
   
   
       32 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 30  wherein said water fowl decoy body is a duck decoy body.  
   
   
       33 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said bird decoy body is an owl decoy body.  
   
   
       34 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said power source comprises an electrical power source.  
   
   
       35 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 34  further comprising wires connecting said electrical power source to said automated wing motion element.  
   
   
       36 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 34  wherein said electrical power source comprises at least one battery.  
   
   
       37 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 36  wherein said at least one battery is established in said cavity.  
   
   
       38 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 34  wherein said electrical power source is an electrical generator.  
   
   
       39 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said power source comprises a pneumatic power source to which said automated wing motion element is fluidicly responsive.  
   
   
       40 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 39  wherein said pneumatic power source is established in said cavity.  
   
   
       41 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 39  wherein said pneumatic power source is established outside of said cavity.  
   
   
       42 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element comprises a remote control element usable to remotely activate wing motion.  
   
   
       43 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 42  wherein said remote control element comprises a wireless remote control element.  
   
   
       44 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 42  wherein said remote control element comprises a wired remote control element.  
   
   
       45 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element simulates wing flapping.  
   
   
       46 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element simulates wing stretching.  
   
   
       47 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said wings exhibit feather detailing.  
   
   
       48 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element comprises a base.  
   
   
       48 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element comprises two geared cams engaged with at least one drive gear.  
   
   
       50 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 48  wherein the total number of cams is two.  
   
   
       51 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 50  wherein each of said cams at least partially controls motion of one wing.  
   
   
       52 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 48  wherein said at least one geared cam comprises at least two lobes.  
   
   
       53 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 52  wherein said at least two lobes comprises three lobes.  
   
   
       54 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 52  wherein each of said lobes has a steep slope on one side and a gradual slope on the opposite side.  
   
   
       55 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 54  wherein said gradual side effects a forward motion of a wing and said steep slope effects a rearward motion of said wing.  
   
   
       56 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 48  wherein each of said two geared cams contacts an arm part of an arm to which a wing is attached.  
   
   
       57 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 56  wherein each of said two geared cams have lobes shaped to slide against said arm part when said two geared cams rotate such that the first part of said lobes that said arm part contacts is a gradual slope of said lobe.  
   
   
       58 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 57  wherein each of said two geared cams have lobes shaped to catch said arm part when said two geared cams rotate such that the first part of one of said lobes that said arm part contacts is a steep slope of said lobe.  
   
   
       59 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 56  wherein said part of an arm is a post.  
   
   
       60 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 56  wherein said arm pivots about an arm pivot axis.  
   
   
       61 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 56  wherein said wing pivots about a changeable wing pivot point.  
   
   
       62 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 61  wherein said changeable wing pivot point is along a line defined by an aperture.  
   
   
       63 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 56  wherein each said arm is biased in a rearward direction by a bias element.  
   
   
       64 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 63  wherein said bias element comprises a spring attached to each of said arms.  
   
   
       65 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element comprises at least one electric motor that drives at least one drive gear.  
   
   
       66 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 65  wherein said electric motor automatically reverses after a period of time to terminate said wing motion.  
   
   
       67 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 66  wherein said period of time is predetermined.  
   
   
       68 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 66  wherein automated wing motion element further comprises a microprocessor that reverses said electric motor after said period of time.  
   
   
       69 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 68  wherein said period of time is predetermined.  
   
   
       70 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 68  wherein said period of time is adjustable.  
   
   
       71 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said automated wing motion element further comprises at least one magnetic sensor.  
   
   
       72 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 71  wherein at least part of said at least one magnetic sensor is attached to a wing.  
   
   
       73 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 71  wherein said magnetic sensor acts to shut off said automated wing motion element.  
   
   
       74 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  further comprising attachment elements that attach said automated wing motion element inside said bird decoy body.  
   
   
       75 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said bird decoy body is a body of a full body decoy.  
   
   
       76 . A moving bird decoy apparatus as described in  claim 24  wherein said bird decoy body is a body of a post-supported decoy.